The Real Cost of Black Friday

It seems no days are protected from materialism anymore; not even Thanksgiving. My wife and I tried to run by the grocery store Thursday morning to pick up a few things we wanted to bring to our gathering later in the day. I was pleasantly surprised that the grocery store was closed for the day. I don't mind giving up Pabst Blue Ribbon if it means that a grocery chain putting their workers' families ahead of profit.

With that being said, this year some stores are opening earlier than usual to take advantage of the busiest shopping day in the year. After leaving the grocery store, we passed by the big box toy store. While the store was closed, that didn't stop people from lining up outside of it. At two o'clock in the afternoon. On Thanksgiving.

Presumably these people are buying gifts for other people, which means they family and friends to give them to. This also means they chose the line outside the toy store over that family gathering. Perhaps I shouldn't be so quick to judge. Maybe they had an early celebration or there was some other mitigating circumstance that made their presence there not totally ridiculous. Even so, I can't imagine that on a day that is meant to be spent reflecting on all that we have, that some people would spend it in anticipation of getting more. No toy is worth twelve hours, and it makes me think about what I would have missed.

I would have missed going to Thanksgiving day mass with my beautiful wife and spending that time with a congregation that shares our values. I realized how thankful I am for my faith.

I would have missed the husband and wife that renewed their wedding vows on their 60th anniversary. I realized how thankful I am for my wife and the love we share.

I would have missed listening to the choir that I normally poke fun at because of their unorthodox song selections. I realized how thankful I am that they are leading the songs and I am not.

I would have missed seeing our baby kick through my wife's bump for the first time. I realized how thankful I am for tiny miracles.

I would have missed the nice drive complemented by radio Christmas music to our friend's place. I realized how thankful I am that, a thousand miles from home, we had a place to go.

I would have missed laughing at Mark Sanchez run into his own teammate's behind and fumble the football. I realized how thankful I am for laughter shared with friends.

I would have missed the absolute feast that our friends prepared for us. I realized how thankful I am that the toughest decision I had all day was in deciding what delicious dish not to stuff myself with.

 I would have missed the back rub my wife gave me when I came down with an awful headache. God knows I wouldn't have gotten such service from the guy behind me at the toy store. I realized how thankful I am for the subtle ways she says "I love you."

I would have missed the smiles and joy of good company. You know, the sort of things that keep a person going. The sort of things that money can never buy. Needless to say, I am convinced there are only two lines worth entering on Thanksgiving: Holy Communion and pumpkin pie.

"O Lord, who lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness." - Shakespeare